Change in Darkness
Epilogue
Light filtered through the window at the far end of the room. Slowly I blinked my grey eyes open, squinting against the harsh brightness. A groan sounded from my throat just as two arms tightened around my waist. Tristan chuckled behind me before kissing the top of my head. I turned onto my other side, facing him instead of the bedroom. The morning light made the scout's face glow warmly. His dark hair shone and brown eyes were burning with love and peace.
"Good morning, love." I yawned, closing my eyes tight before laughing quietly and nodding.
"Good morning," I replied in a hoarse voice. He kissed my forehead this time before shifting onto his elbow. "How long have you been awake?"
He shrugged and traced the two marks on either side of my face. Two matching arrows, one on either of my cheek bones. Tristan had inked them onto her skin a few months after the war had ended.
He was about to speak when a loud banging made both jump. "Ailith, Tristan! Get your butts out of bed already!" The voice of Galahad called loudly from the other side of the door. I rolled my eyes before sitting up. Though, there were some difficulties with Tristan's arms still around my waist. I lightly smacked the man's hands and stood when he let me go. Quickly I rummaged around for a light dress, something to enjoy the summer heat in.
"I'll meet you at our normal spot," I called over my shoulder as I slid my feet into my leather boots. Yeah, summer dress and leather boots, what a combo.
"You're hair." Tristan's deep tenor caught me off guard. Especially when hands suddenly twined into my dark locks and tugged me back onto the bed. I looked behind me and found my knight sitting behind me with a soft smile on his face and our sheets draped across his lap. He ran his callused fingered through my hair before braiding it down my back, leaving some hair down to frame my face.
"Isn't it kind of sad that you seem to like doing my hair more than even I do?" I teased. Tristan tugged my hair in response before turning my head and kissing me on the lips. My eyes slid closed and my arms wrapped around his neck as I enjoyed the easy peace I felt when with this man.
When he pulled away there was a faint smirk on his face. "Go on before Galahad gets Gawain up here." I chuckled and kissed Tristan once more before standing and rushing from the room.
"It's about time you got out here! Is Tristan meeting us at the tavern?" The youngest knight asked as I came up beside him.
"Yep, so let's get down there. I'm sure Vanora has food waiting for us already."
When Galahad and I reached the tavern we found the others, minus Tristan, sitting around our table at the side of the open area. Gawain, Bors and Arthur were all laughing and eating hot porridge. I smiled up to Gal before rushing over to the men. None of them had really changed over the last three years. The only changes were the new laugh lines just in the corners of Gawain's eyes. Marlow had given him two healthy children, one of which was sitting on the man's lap.
"There they are! What took you so long?" Bors roared past his companion's laughter. Gal came up behind me with a grin on his face.
"Couldn't get her out of bed fast enough. Apparently Tristan was being fussy with her hair." They all rolled their eyes as the two of us sat down. The little girl sitting in Gawain's lap reached out to me eagerly with a smile on her face. I quickly took the girl, Alice, from her father's arms and set her down on my leg. She was two now, only a year older than her brother, Bryce. The toddler was probably with his mother in the kitchen, helping out Vanora.
"That man has a fascination with your hair, little one. You might have to break him of that habit soon." The golden haired knight joked, a mischievous look in his blue eyes. Both his children had his warm eyes and messy tangles. But it wasn't like Marlow was complaining. If anything, she would have it no other way.
"Yeah, yeah, let the man have his fun," I laughed before my eyes were attracted to the red haired woman coming over with two bowls. "Good morning Van," I greeted her. Vanora smiled and set the bowls in front of Galahad and me.
"Is your man coming down any time soon? Or shall I put a lid over the rest of the porridge?" She asked, walking over to Bors and sitting down gracefully on his lap.
I nudged my head towards the entrance where said scout was walking in, adjusting his heavy coat. I frowned, passed Alice back to Gawain and stood, going over to him. "You sir, are mad," I grinded out, sliding my hands under the coat and taking it off him. Underneath he was wearing a light shirt with a few patches coloring it.
He took my hand once I was finished and led me back over to the table. I fell into the seat first and squished over to Gawain while Tristan sat down beside me. "I should really get a table made to sit all of you," Vanora commented as she stood. Within a few moments she had a bowl for Tristan. And knowing Van she had cut up a few apple slices and added them to his porridge.
I looked around the table at my family, a soft smile forming on my face. Nothing could beat the feeling of being here. Even now, with most of the other knights passed away, I still felt like everything was perfect. Like my brother and Dagonet were watching us even now and smiling with their brothers and sister. And who knows, maybe the six of us will have more adventures in the future to smile at.
The End.
All of the knights belong to the wonderful creators of King Arthur. Ailith is mine though, you can't have her!
Thank you all soooo much for all of your support though this story. If it weren't for you it wouldn't have gone as far as it has. I probably never would have finished it. But now, I am so glad that I did. So once again thank you all. And another biiiig thanks to my beta.
LOVE YA ALL SO MUCH!